The Reaper's Wicked Obsession-Chapter 173: The Husband

Isadora kept her hood up to cover her ears. She stepped through the village entrance and was welcomed with a sight she had never seen before.

The place brimmed with life, filled with laughter and the playful screams from children. Her eyes followed each carefree child as they ran, playing chase.

One of them bumped into her. He stepped back with an apologetic face that reminded her of Cai.

"Sorry."

"I-it’s okay."

He gave a wide grin that showed all his teeth as he ran ahead to his friends.

"Not what you expected, is it?" Logi said, striding toward her, eyes briefly looking around the place, his mind still trying to wrap around it.

It was unusual for him, too. He expected something gloomy, however, the light-headed scenery was surprising.

"Logi."

"Where’s Kraven?"

Isadora tensed at his words. "He..." she paused, not knowing what to say.

Logi narrowed his eyes, observing her closely. She didn’t look like she had an encounter with death, just emotionally bothered.

He cleared his throat and said. "Must be hard for him. I thought he simply hated this place for no reason, but I thought wrong."

His words piqued Isadora’s interest. "What do you mean?"

"Look around you, Isadora."

She did as told, her pale amber eyes watching the lively scene unfold.

The sellers bargaining, the buyers haggling. The laughter and chatter filling the air made her realize she’d never witnessed such a bustling place.

Perhaps it only felt that way because she had spent half a winter in the mountains, surrounded by bloodthirsty warriors. Seeing this now felt almost impossible.

Who knew some villages carried such peaceful air? Brookcrest wasn’t even close to this.

"This place is filled with so much life, it must be difficult for Kraven to keep up with it," Logi explained. "He lives to erase life, he feeds off pain and chaos, seeing something like this would—"

"Spike his thirst more," Isadora said as pain tugged at her heart.

Logi was right. This place was the complete opposite of the Raven Court, it was somehow easier for him there, but here? She couldn’t imagine the restraint he’d need.

"But on the bright side, he can control it. He’d have gone berserk winters ago if he couldn’t. By the olden gods’ grace... it would be a smooth stay."

’But it takes too much of his energy,’ she thought, with trembling eyes. She had seen what he had done just to touch her.

The sudden image of his back turned to her filled her mind. She noticed how he clenched his hands, too.

Their kiss had stirred the thirst.

Maybe she shouldn’t have left him alone. She should have stayed, but what would she have done? Holding her dagger didn’t do a thing, it only unleashed his twisted sense of humor.

"I don’t know what to do when his thirst gets too much on the surface," Isadora began, her tone heavy. "I point a dagger at him, but it seems like it does nothing."

Logi chuckled. At the unwelcome sound, Isadora pinned him with a glare.

Why did she even say that in the first place if his only response was laughing?

Logi’s amusement died, but he still kept the smirk on his lips. "Pointing a dagger at him is identical to using a toy against him, Isadora."

"But that’s what he wants... reassurance."

"Ah, yes, reassurance. It’s a tactic, you hold the dagger to remind him what he’s capable of in the moment of distraction... but it doesn’t stop him from breaking your neck if he wants to."

She frowned. "I’ll not hurt him."

"I didn’t say you should, but it’s needed when the time comes. That is what this reassurance means."

Isadora scoffed at his words.

"Heed my words, little one." His tone shifted. "To stand by a madman’s side, especially with someone like Kraven, death is always present. Never forget that."

Isadora looked away as the emotion twirled within her. His words held true, but it still hurts.

Weeks ago, she decided she wanted to stay by his side. She knew what she was getting herself into. It wasn’t going to be easy.

But constantly reminding herself that he was a monster was a fleeting thing... Because she was slowly starting to not see him as one.

How else was she supposed to crave him and view him as a monster, too? It wasn’t fair. But she knew she couldn’t have it both ways.

"Hello!"

A voice came through, grabbing their attention—a young, handsome Fae with ginger hair and grey eyes striding toward them.

"I haven’t seen these lovely faces in our village. Are you travellers?"

"You took the word right out of my mouth, " Logi mused.

The Fae chuckled. "Welcome to Mossvale! I hope you enjoy your stay. Oh! Where are my manners? I’m the caretaker of this place, Solin."

"Caretaker? You must be the one in charge then."

"I just look after the place, it’s my duty."

"I’m Logi, and this is my little sister, Isadora. We hope we aren’t imposing on this..." His eyes briefly skimmed the area. "Lovely civilization."

"Not at all, anyone’s welcome. I can show you our inn. We just got it renovated," he said as his eyes dragged to Isadora.

Solin was captivated by her beauty, he had never seen anyone with such beautiful hair and eyes.

"In Almadra’s name. You’re beautiful."

Isadora blushed at his sudden compliment. "T-Thank you."

"I’ll be sure to entertain you with whatever you need. I’ll make sure your stay here is worthwhile. "

"T-There’s no need to..."

"Please, I insist," Solin said, giving her one of his best smiles.

Isadora’s cheeks burned more. "If you say so."

"You’re a rare sight to behold, I’m sure Almadra is pleased with her creation."

Her lips came apart, but no words followed. She turned briefly to Logi, who seemed to be enjoying this exchange.

"Forgive my sister, she’s not too used to lovely compliments."

"That’s a shame, because a beautiful woman should be reminded of such. The gods bless me, because Fate must have brought you to—"

He didn’t finish his words because a sharp gust of wind cut through the street as a shadow overtook them.

Solin’s gray eyes shifting behind, his blood going cold at the glimpse of silver eyes.

Isadora felt a strong familiar presence behind her, followed by a strong arm coiling around her waist and pulling her to a solid chest.

"Fate?" Kraven drawled, in a sharp, dangerous amusement. "Tell me, are all travellers brought to you by fate? Or is that an excuse to flirt with every maiden?"

"Oh.. I didn’t..." Solin stuttered his words, overwhelmed by the presence of this Fae.

The pressure in the air held thickly, and he had to adjust his collar to breathe properly.

Kraven tilted his head, watching the Fae with a cold detachment. He said no further words, but his silence and murderous gaze spoke volumes.

"F-Forgive me, but who are you?" Solin asked, forcing a smile back on his lips.

Kraven leaned down to Isadora, his breath brushing the helix of her ear, causing a shiver down her spine. "The husband."

Isadora’s body stiffened as he said that one word. Her pulse betrayed her, pumping widely under his touch.

"Husband," Solin said with a slow nod, his confidence cracking. "I didn’t mean any offense. I didn’t know she was married."

"Did you now?" he mused. "Then why are you still standing here? Or do you need more excuses to flirt with my wife?"

"In Alda’s name, forgive my sister’s husband," Logi cut in. "Newlyweds, the fire is always intense! They can’t even stay a few seconds without each other." He chuckled.

Solin just kept his lingering smile on, but it was obvious he was tensed by Kraven’s death glare.

"I think I would like to see that inn now," Logi said. "Shall we?"

"C-Certainly."

"I would also love to know more about the wonders of this place, I bet there’s something magical."

The moment they left, Isadora twisted in his hold, shooting him a glare. "Was that really necessary?"

"Necessary?" he mused, his voice dropping low and lethal, showing just how much his bloodlust still hung in the air. "Darling, if I were aiming for the necessary, I’d have cut off his tongue for sweet talking you."

"He was just being nice."

Kraven scoffed. "You mean flirting?"

She growled, pushing off him, but he grabbed her hand instead and yanked her back to him.

She stilled when she felt something wet on his hand, leveling her eyes to their intertwined hold, she saw a blood stain. ’Did he...’

Isadora snapped her eyes back to him. His aura was dull too, and that could only mean one thing.

"Why are you trying to hop away, darling? You’re supposed to act the part, remember?"

Isadora’s teeth clenched; she wanted to ask so badly about the blood stain, but the look in his eyes told her she shouldn’t.

"Yes," she replied. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

"Good girl."

"B-But that doesn’t mean you get to act like some possessive—"

"Husband?" He interrupted as a wide grin spread on his lips.